Srinagar, Oct 20: Dussehra was celebrated in Srinagar with traditional fervour on Tuesday at S K Stadium, with members of the Kashmiri Pandit community participating in the festivities marking the victory of good over evil.
The festival, also known as Vijayadashami, marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and symbolises the triumph of righteousness over evil. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin, following the nine-day Navratri festival.
The celebrations brought together members of the community to observe the occasion through religious rituals and traditional festivities.
Dussehra holds particular cultural and religious significance for Hindus, commemorating the victory of truth, justice and righteousness.
In Srinagar, the festival also reflects the community’s efforts to preserve its religious traditions and cultural heritage. The occasion provides an opportunity for people to come together and pass on longstanding customs to younger generations.
Across the country, Dussehra is celebrated in different ways, with the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran forming a major attraction in several places. The festival also marks the culmination of Ramlila performances depicting episodes from the Ramayana.
“Dussehra conveys the timeless message that good always triumphs over evil. The festival is an occasion to come together, preserve our cultural and religious traditions, and pass on the values of truth, righteousness and mutual respect to the younger generation,” an organiser said.
The celebrations are followed by Diwali, the festival of lights, which is observed to mark Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
Dussehra conveys the message that good ultimately triumphs over evil, while encouraging people to uphold truth, compassion and righteousness in their lives.
